A scene from the 2003 Nollywood drama Jealous Lovers, featuring the late veteran actor Joe Layode, best remembered as Teacher Garuba in the iconic television series The Village Headmaster. His portrayal of the intelligent but perpetually dissatisfied teacher made him a familiar face in Nigerian homes, while his distinctive diction and delivery were equally memorable.
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| Joe Layode (seated) as Teacher Garuba in the Iconic TV series, Village Headmaster |
But Layode’s career stretched well beyond The Village Headmaster. His screen work dated back to British television in the late 1950s, and he appeared in the 1964 British film Guns at Batasi. He later became part of the generation of established Nigerian television actors who transitioned into the Nollywood era, appearing in films including Sàngó: The Legendary African King (1998), Igodo (1999) and My Only Love (2003). His career ultimately connected British screen work, Nigeria’s golden television era and the Nollywood home-video generation. Joe Layode died in Lagos on 9 December 2006, aged 79.
Jealous Lovers, directed by Adim Williams, stars Genevieve Nnaji, Pat Attah and Jennifer Eliogu, amongst others.